skiing

Starting today, Horizon Air will begin its annual winter service to snowy Mammoth Mountain, offering daily flights from Los Angeles, Portland, San Jose, Reno and Seattle. Mammoth Mountain, one of California's ski resort gems, has already reaped the benefits of a winter wonderland with a base of five to eight feet--and even more on the way. The flights mark the beginning of regular air service to Mammoth throughout the snow season.

A cold front overtaking much of California and a recent bout of precipitation can mean only one thing...ski season has arrived!

As of Tuesday, snow totals at 9,000 feet or higher at Heavenly Mountain Resort topped out above 30 inches, and the powder will only continue to mount as the week progresses. So if you're a trail blazer--heck, even if you're simply a snow angel artiste--we suggest packing up your four-wheel drive and heading for South Lake Tahoe this weekend before the masses get there first.

President's Day weekend travelers were rewarded for all the hard effort it took to actually reach Tahoe--a seven-hour drive from the city, if you were lucky--by the biggest snowfall of the season. And it just keeps getting better for ski junkies and snow bunnies alike. Northstar-at-Tahoe, for example, has accummulated 59 inches of powder in the last week alone, with the promise of more in coming tonight, as a winter storm lingers over the Sierras.

Planning on staying home in your cozy bed this weekend warding off the Bay Area drizzle? That’s suddenly not going to sound so good when you hear what we have to tell you. For one day only--Saturday, Jan. 10--100 ski resorts in 23 states sprinkled across the country are offering snow bunnies the opportunity to try cross-country skiing or snowshoeing FREE in celebration of the 14th annual Winter Trails Day, part of Learn a Snow Sport Month put on by SnowSports Industries America.

It's true there's no place like home for the holidays...but sometimes you just want to get away from it all before the chaos ensues (or rather family togetherness--or in-laws--becomes just too much to bear). The current state on the economy has put a damper on many people's travel plans, but hotels are beginning to take note of this by significantly lowering their rates to an affordable level and creating packages that allow you more bang for your buck this holiday season. Check out these amazing opportunities before it's too late.